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Arsenal have reportedly turned down a loan bid from Ajax for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The Englishman has fallen down the pecking order after the arrival of David Raya from Brentford, initially on loan, in 2023, with the deal becoming permanent this summer.
After playing a key role in their Premier League title charge in 2022-23 - 14 clean sheets in 38 games as the Gunners finished second - Ramsdale saw a sharp decrease in his game time last season after Raya's arrival.
With the Spanish custodian once again set to be the No. 1, Ramsdale - who appeared just 11 times across competitions last season, keeping three clean sheets - will likely spend large swathes on the bench. That has sparked reports of his departure this summer..
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As per David Ornstein of the Athletic, Ajax - who will play in the UEFA Europa League this season - saw a loan offer for Ramsdale turned down by the Gunners, who would want Ramsdale to leave permanently. In case that happens, Mikel Arteta's side are eyeing Espanyol custodian Joan Garcia.
Despite his reduced game time with the Gunners last season, Ramsdale - contracted to the Emirates till 2026 - was part of the England side that finished runner-up at Euro 2024, losing 2-1 to Spain in the final. The 26-year-old, though, didn't play a game.
Arsenal have injury worries ahead of Premier League opener
Arsenal open their new Premier League campaign at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (August 17). The Gunners finished runners-up in the last two seasons - both times to Manchester City.
However, Mikel Arteta's side are set to be without at least two players for their season opener with Wolves. As per Telegraph, defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber are likely out of the first game.
Tomiyasu has a knee injury and wasn't a part of the Gunners' pre-season tour of the US. He also didn't feature in the 2-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday (August 11) at the Emirates.
Offering an update on the Japanese player's injury status, Arteta said:
"I think it will take weeks on that one unfortunately. He's going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it's going to take a few weeks."
Meanwhile, Timber - who missed nearly the entire 2023-24 campaign due to an ACL injury - also didn't feature against Lyon. However, the Dutchman is set to return to the squad in the second week.
